Russell Simmons Is Teaching His Girls To Give Back

Russell Simmons‘ daughters Ming, 11, and Aoki, 8 have grown up in the spotlight but this is one dad who doesn’t want fame to go to their heads – he’s determined to instill in them a responsibility to help those around them.

“I tell them that their job as they become more famous is to use their celebrity to help others,” the legendary hip-hop producer says. “Use their good benefit, if it’s money, to benefit others. And that that’s gonna make them happy, and that any hoarding, holding onto anything will result in sadness and they believe me, I think. So, that’s a constant discussion.”
Russell is confident that the girls are in good hands when they are with their mother, Life in Th Fab Lane star Kimora Lee Simmons.

“But I think that Kimora is such a good mother and such a good disciplinarian – I know; I was disciplined for many years, kept in order,” he quips about being kept in line by his former wife. “So, I know she’s good at that…I was under a good thumb and the kids are under the thumb now. So I know they ain’t doing nothing wrong, ’cause I could NEVER do nothing wrong!”